Narrative Features (U.S. & International) – American Black Film Festival Miami (2024)

On her way to the most important meeting of her career, severe weather forces a New York executive to share a rental car with her former nemesis, her ex-fiancé’s mother, only to discover that the mother is hiding a major secret.

Director: Christine Swanson | Writer: Christine Swanson | Producer: Michael Swanson | Cast: Renée Elise Goldsberry, Lynn Whitfield, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Lisa Arrindell, Gary Dourdan, Joe Holt, Rachel Nicks

One night, two parents, out of options, infiltrate a top-level dealer and pimp’s apartment complex to rescue their teenage daughter.

Director: Wes Miller | Writer: Wes Miller | Producer: Andrew van den Houten, Wes Miller | Cast: Jason Mitchell, Tabatha “DreamDoll” Robinson, NLE Choppa

Sometimes you have to take justice into your own hands.

Director: Terrisha Kearse | Writer: Steve Fauquier, David Wendell Boykins, Terrisha Kearse, Mico Ramos | Producer: Tara Carbajal, Terrisha Kearse, Keita Don Azu, Seven Bailey, Amber Bolden | Cast: David Wendell Boykins, Dallas Schaefer, Kiya Roberts, Derek S. Orr, Kimberly Bailey

An unexpected romance evolves between two Brooklyn baristas, Kali, an aspiring coffee professional, and Mel, a budding photographer.

Director: Anaiis Cisco | Writer: Anaiis Cisco | Producer: Anaiis Cisco, Ryan Rivard, Mary Pena, Kathryn Boyd-Batstone | Cast: Iman Artwell Freeman, Kashanie Lagrotta Butler, Ralphy Lopez

Based on the inspiring, true story of Melony Armstrong, a mother who works at a shelter for battered women decides to start a hair braiding business and must overcome obstacles imposed by a powerful cartel and the state of Mississippi.

Director: Dianne Houston | Writer: Dianne Houston | Producer: Stacey Parks, Lana Link, Rob Pfaltzgraff | Cast: Simona Brown, Jeremie Harris, Sophia Bush, and Erica Taze

A poet balancing single motherhood returns to her hometown to rebuild her life and finds love and so much more after receiving a magical postcard under her door.

Director: Qasim Basir | Writer: jessica Care moore | Producer: jessica Care moore, Lasana Hotep, Gingi Rochelle | Cast: jessica Care moore, Tobias Truvillion, Jaden Anthony Moore, Nicci Gilbert, Donnell Rawlings, Omar Regan

A woman’s husband goes missing soon after moving into their new home, but strange and paranormal events start to occur upon his return.

Director: Sulayman Tahir | Writer: Sulayman Tahir, Jordan Tortorello | Producer: Jordan Tortorello, Dallas Hart, Chris Tortorello | Cast: Andria B. Langston, Patrick Walker, Patricia Mizen, D’Kia Anderson, Sami Tortorello

A woman wakes tied to a bed, and her captor tries to manipulate her into believing they are a couple.

Director: Byron Manuel | Writer: Byron Manuel | Producer: Byron Manuel, Ryan Rojas, JP Ouellette, Cash Oliver, Franco Tavera, George Wrighster, Cameron Duncan, Lily Terrazas, Raul Terrazas, Kassandra Lee Diaz, Rich Morrow. | Cast: Kassandra Lee Diaz, DeRon Cash, Rich Morrow, Efrangeliz Medina, Dean Wil, Herbert Morales, Del Harrison.

A retired pro basketball player seeks true love and a new beginning, but past traumas threaten his happiness.

Director: Tailiah Breon | Writer: Jeremy Pargo, Barshea Lowery | Producer: Jeremy Pargo, Valentina Barton, Tailiah Breon, Ernestine Morrison Johnson | Cast: Jeremy Pargo, Hazel Renee, Jerod Haynes, Navv Greene, Vanessa D. Fant, Brea Joy

After losing her estranged son, Cassandra must deal with grief and guilt while getting to know her son’s daughter and husband, who she knew nothing about.

Director: Jussie Smollett | Writer: Jerrell Chesney & Jussie Smollett | Producer: Jussie Smollett, Mona Scott-Young, Tressa Smallwood, Tom Wilson, Joe “Jody” Williams, Janet Smollett, Eddie Mac, Stephanie Gayle, Jerrell Chesney, Anthony Smallwood, Sheila Legette and Vivica A. Fox | Cast: Vivica A. Fox, Jussie Smollett, Jabari Redd, Marquise Vilsón, Brittany S. Hall, Miriam A. Hyman, Londyn Carter, Memphis Cade, Gina Belafonte, Leslie D. Baker

A young man stumbles into good fortune but it attracts the wrong attention.

Director: Kewa Oni | Writer: Kewa Oni | Producer: Seun Opabisi, Sean McNichol, Phiona Okunmu, Tunji Jamiu Shoyode | Cast: Molawa Davies, Osita Iheme, Gbemi Akinlade, Kelechi Udegbe

In the streets of ATL, two young men cross paths, one trying to make a legit living, the other trying to create mayhem and rule the streets.

Director: co*ke Daniels | Writer: co*ke Daniels | Producer: co*ke Daniels, Errol Sadler, Dolapo Erinkitola, Cameron S Mitchell, Brian Sher, Coach K, Pee Thomas, Ben Crump, Tirrell D Whitley. | Cast: Akil McDowell, Alani “La La” Anthony, Quavo Omar Dorsey, Rockmond Dunbar

As Diondre Howell re-adjusts to civilian life and struggles to cope with the scars of the Iraq war, he increasingly becomes a threat to those he cares about the most – his family.

Director: Bryant T. Griffin | Writer: Bryant T. Griffin | Producer: Selena Leoni | Cast: Vince Washington, Tarra Riggs, Kirby Griffin, Vaughn Wilkinson, James Arthur Sims